Volumetric changes of grafted volumes and the Schneiderian membrane after transcrestal and lateral sinus floor elevation procedures: A clinical, pilot study.

AIM: To investigate the influence of various surgical techniques for sinus augmentation on the volumetric changes of graft, membrane and the post-operative discomfort. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen patients in need of bilateral sinus floor elevation (SFE) were assigned to lateral SFE, transcrestal SFE and intralift procedures. CBCT images taken at baseline, 1 week and 6 weeks were analysed for volumetric changes in graft and Schneiderian membrane. Questionnaires were used to analyse post-op discomfort. RESULTS: The overall average graft volume obtained after 1 week was 1.87 cm(3) (range 0.12-4.72 cm(3) ). Volumes decreased after 6 weeks to an overall mean volume of 1.33 cm(3) (range 0.10-4.29 cm(3) - average decrease of 27.6%). After 6 weeks, the amount of graft volume decreased in every treatment option, ranging from -23.13% for the tSFE, over -24.55% for the lSFE, to -33.71% for the IL. Although all treatment options correspond in an increase in Schneiderian membrane volume, no statistically significant correlation between this increase and loss of graft volume could be obtained for all treatments (p = 0.97). CONCLUSION: All SFE techniques provided sufficient graft volume for implant treatment. All techniques provoke a partially transient swelling of the Schneiderian membrane. All techniques resulted in a decrease in graft volume after 6 weeks; however, no significant differences were obtained between treatments. Furthermore, no statistical significant correlation between the post-operative swelling of the Schneiderian membrane and reduction in graft volume at 6 weeks could be obtained.